Ready or Not
Salt and Light Newsletter
April 29, 2026
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Pastor’s Thoughts:
Stop Waiting to Feel Ready
Most people spend their lives waiting for perfect conditions.
When I have more money.
When the kids get older.
When life slows down.
When I feel more qualified.
When I heal a little more.
We convince ourselves that one day everything will line up, the fear will disappear, and then we will finally move.
But readiness is often a myth.
David was not ready for Goliath by most people’s standards. He was young, overlooked, and carrying a shepherd’s staff instead of a soldier’s sword.
Moses did not feel ready to stand before Pharaoh. His first response was insecurity, not confidence.
Peter was not ready to walk on water. In fact, nobody is ever “ready” for that.
Yet God has always used people who stepped forward before they felt prepared.
Faith is rarely comfortable.
Most of the greatest moments in your life will not begin with confidence. They will begin with obedience.
You do not wait until fear disappears. You move while trusting God in the middle of it.
Some people are waiting to serve.
Some are waiting to forgive.
Some are waiting to start over.
Some are waiting to answer the call God has already placed on their life.
And while they wait, time keeps moving.
The harvest is still ready. People still need Jesus. Your children are still watching. Your purpose is still calling.
If you wait until you feel fully healed, fully confident, or fully prepared, you may never move at all.
Sometimes clarity comes after obedience.
Sometimes peace comes after the first step.
Sometimes the miracle happens only after your feet touch the water.
Do not let fear disguise itself as wisdom.
Do not let hesitation become disobedience.
At some point, you simply have to trust God enough to move.
Stop waiting to feel ready.
Move.
— Pastor Justin
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Supporting Our Academy Students
Salt & Light Academy teachers have the opportunity to attend Professional Development Training in Chesapeake, Virginia, and we are excited about what this means for their growth and leadership.
Their tuition has already been covered, but we still need help with food, gas, and lodging for the trip. The remaining need is approximately $3,000.
As a church, we believe in investing in the next generation and helping raise up young people who will stand boldly for Christ. If you would like to help support this trip, you can give through the church and designate it for Academy Training Support.
Thank you for helping us continue the mission of Salt & Light Academy.
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More Than a Thrift Store
This week, someone shared how moved they were when dropping off donations at Salt & Light Thrift. One of our young men came out to help, asked if she had any prayer concerns, took her hands, and sincerely prayed with her.
She said, “It was the first time someone took the time to do that though I donate a lot of places.”
That is exactly the vision.
Salt & Light Thrift is more than a store. It is ministry. It is a place to serve people, pray with people, and point them to Christ.
If you would like to volunteer, especially in donations, sorting, or simply being available to pray with others, we would love to have you be part of it.
Interested in serving or joining the team?
For hiring questions, contact Troy Barnes at 502-472-8577.
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Prayer Cards are located at the church entrances.
If you have a prayer request, please complete a prayer card and place it in the offering plate or boxes and someone will pray for you.
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Church Happenings
Wednesday at Salt & Light – April 29
6 - 6:45 PM - Dinner | Upper Lobby Chicken Casserole, Hash Brown Casserole, Green Beans, Oreo Ice Cream Dessert, and Peach Cobbler
A $5 donation is requested to cover food costs with additional going to the Building Fund. If you cannot make a donation, please join us for dinner, all are welcome.
7 PM - Worship
Tonight in our Wednesday night series Wars and Rumors of Wars, we continue through the Olivet Discourse with a message titled “Do Not Be Left Behind” from Matthew 24:32–44. Jesus points us to the fig tree, the days of Noah, and the sudden separation between those taken and those left behind. These are not random illustrations—they are prophetic patterns reminding us that God always warns before judgment and always preserves a remnant for redemption. The question is not whether Christ is coming, but whether we are ready. Join us tonight as we look at the signs, the patterns, and the hope we have in Christ—the greater Ark of salvation.
Wars and Rumors of Wars Study Notes
Nursery - 5th Grade | Lower Level
Middle and High School Youth | Lower Level - with Paul Thomas
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This Sunday - May 3
10 AM - Bible Study Classes - Listed Below
11 AM - Worship
The Real House of David
This Sunday we continue The Real House of David with a message from 2 Samuel 12:26-31 titled “Grace Doesn’t Mean Retirement.” After David’s greatest failure, God did not call him to quit—He called him back to the battlefield. This message is a reminder that repentance is not the end of obedience, but the beginning of renewed obedience. You were not forgiven to sit on the sidelines—you were forgiven to get back in the fight.
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Sunday Bible Classes – 10 AM
Joe Dedman's Group - Upper Lobby - Adults
Verse-by-verse study through that day’s sermon scripture.
Led by Joe Dedman jdedman@montysplantfood.com
Glenn Toomey's Group - Lower Lobby – Adults
Verse-by-verse study through whole chapters of scripture.
A welcoming group active in home prayer meetings with prayer and fellowship. We seek to make Jesus the Lord of our lives and live that out daily in obedience to the calling of the Holy Spirit.
Led by Glenn Toomey gl.toomey@gmail.com
The Heart of Worship - Back of Stage – Adults and Youth
Led by Kirk Whitehouse Kirk@saltandlightky.org
Young Adults (Age 18-31) 10:05 - 10:45 AM - Near the Library
Verse-by-verse study through scripture.
Led by Cheri Grinnell Cheri@SaltandLightKY.org
Youth - 6-12th Grades - Verse-by-verse study through whole chapters of scripture
High School studying through the book of John with Paul Thomas | Upper Lobby
Middle School with Sarah Thomas | Lower Level Classroom off Main Hall
Youth@SaltandLightKY.org_
Children – Birth-5th Grade – Lower Level Children's Area
Nursery and Bible classes for all ages
Children’s Ministry Director Jessica Walker 502-365-0839
New Members - Sunday May 3 (1st Sunday of Each Month) - Upper Lobby
One-time class for new or prospective new members of Salt & Light to learn about the core aspects of our belief, the structure and missions of our church, and to find ways to get plugged-in.
Led by Keith Holbert Keith@SaltandLightKy.org _________________________________________________________
Salt and Light Academy Krispy Kreme Fundraiser
Digital Dozens Certificates sent to your email
50% goes to Salt and Light Academy
Order Here by April 30
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Agape Stitches - Friday, May 1 | 1- 3 PM Carol Gianzero's Home
2903 Brookside Ct. La Grange (In The Reserve at L'Esprit)
Ladies and teen daughters who enjoy or would like to learn sewing, quilting, knitting, and crochet are welcome and encouraged to attend. A project will be provided.
There will be no childcare and sharp needles and other items will not be a good environment for young children.
Questions - Contact Carol 720-313-0251
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Prayer Meeting - Friday, May 1 | 6:30 PM Harrods Creek Baptist Church
8102 Hwy 329 Crestwood
All are welcome as we gather to pray.
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Youth (Grades 6-12) Survivor Weekend - May 16 - 7 AM - May 17 11 AM Local Family Farm
Compete as teams, complete outdoor challenges and camp out.
Registration Deadline May 1st Register Here
$20 Donation Requested to cover t-shirts and other expenses
Mandatory Parent Meeting - Sunday, May 3rd after Service in the Youth Room
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The Brotherhood Men’s Discipleship - Saturday, May 2 | 10:00 AM Upper Lobby
Men 18 and up are welcome and encouraged to attend. _________________________________________________________
VBS Volunteer Work Day - Sunday, May 3 | After Service - 4 PM
Bring your lunch and join in. Any time you can give preparing for Vacation Bible School will be appreciated.
Future Work Days - May 24, June 7 & 28, July 5, 12, & 19. Set Up Week July 12-18 _________________________________________________________
Evangelism Outreach - Sunday, May 3 | After Service Upper Lobby
There are many ways to share your faith outside the church walls.
The evangelism team will have a table set up near the far door after service every Sunday in May and invites you to come by and talk with us about numerous opportunities to serve.
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High School Senior Graduation Recognition
Photos and Info for the Slideshow must be submitted by Sunday, May 3 at 8 PM
Please email 1 senior photo and 1 photo as a child along with a short statement of future plans to Sarah Thomas at smthomas213@gmail.com
Graduate Recognition will be Sunday, May 24.
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Evangelism Community Outreach - Saturday, May 9 | 3 PM Be a sower of the seed and join us in reaching our community with the gospel.
We meet in the front parking lot at 3 pm to go into the community and will conclude by 5 pm.
Outreach will be held the second Saturday of every month.
Questions or weather concerns text Bruce Karcher 615-482-3158
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Family Game Night - Saturday, May 16 | 6 PM Upper Lobby Salt & Light Church and Academy families and their friends.
Bring Games, Snacks, and Drinks to share.
Please be Aware: Everything - People and Food - stay in the Upper Lobby Fellowship Area.
Off Limits Areas:
Lower Lobby
Sanctuary - including the stadium seating
Classrooms and Library
If you are coming, please RSVP by text to Heather Milby 502-337-4251 - please include your name if Heather does not have your contact information. _________________________________________________________
Pat Barrett "I've Got A Fire" Tour - Saturday October 3rd | 7 PM Salt & Light Featuring new songs alongside beloved anthems like "Build My Life" and "Good Good Father", this is sure to be a joy-filled worship experience you will not want to miss!
The pre-sale code and first access to tickets will be posted on the Salt & Light Family Facebook page Friday, May 1 at 10 AM.
For more info https://tprlive.co/collections/pat-barrett-ive-got-a-fire-tour
Questions? Contact Karen Shelton through the Signal app.
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Young Adults | Next Chapter (Ages 18-31)
For anyone around 18–31 who wants to stay connected, build friendships, and grow in faith together.
Signal Group - to request to join and stay in the loop or with questions - text Joshua Rieth 502-230-6629 or Kaiden Perrodin 502-663-3681
Bible Study - Sundays | 10:05 - 10:45 AM - Meets near the Library
Questions? Email Cheri Grinnell - Cheri@SaltandLightKY.org
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Women of the Word Bible Study- Tuesdays | 9:45-11:30 AM
at Sharon Holbert’s Home
Contact Sharon 502-235-6687
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Homeless Ministry - Tuesdays | 5:30 PM Local Homeless Shelter
Share the gospel and bless the shelter residents with necessities.
Contact Bruce Karcher 615-482-3158 for details or to ride together.
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1613 Men’s Conference - July 17-18 Duke Energy Convention Center
525 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Built for real Christian men facing real life battles. Join thousands answering the call to live with strength, courage, and honor.
Details and Registration Here
For more information contact Mike Anasis (859) 640-7081
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Salt and Light Academy
Contact: Michelle.Elliott@SaltandLightAcademy.com
Upper School (Grades 7-9) Student Openings - prospective students and families are encouraged to apply by completing the following online applications.
Application Portal:Start Here
Google Form Portal: Complete This Next
Now Hiring Mission-Minded Full-Time Educators
Teachers for 4th and 5th/ 6th Grades
Please send your resume to Michelle.Elliott@SaltandLightAcademy.com
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Lee Corps - Tuesdays | 7 - 9 PM Upper Lobby
Lee Corps provides a youth led, adult facilitated, Christian cadet program to foster leadership and a love for Christ in our community’s young men, ages 12-18. They excel in leadership and military skills preparation with a Christian worldview to serve their country and communities through training in tactics and field training, Christian apologetics, marksmanship, physical conditioning, and much more.
Lee Corps is not associated with or a ministry of Salt & Light Church but uses our facilities for their weekly training and welcomes interested young men to attend. No registration required.
Younger boys are welcome if they can sit through and be engaged in the presentations.
For more information LeeCorps.org or contact LtCol (Ret) Michael Muller (270) 300-1571
or Lauren Engle (502) 802-1688
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Serving Opportunities & Needs
Building Fund - The building purchase and maintenance needs continue in 2026. Thank you for prayerfully considering giving an offering toward the property purchase. Please memo your offerings “Building Fund”.
In 2021, when Salt & Light outgrew our former location, God provided the beautiful 71 acre property with a former horse auction facility and barn where we now gather as a church family.
We entered a lease to own agreement with a payment due December 31 of each year until the purchase is complete.
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Recurring Monthly Giving - As the Lord continues to grow His work among us, one way many choose to serve is through recurring monthly giving. This helps provide steady support for the ministry and allows us to plan wisely while trusting God completely.
If you’re interested, you can explore this option through our online giving page by visiting the website. Thank you for your faithfulness. "God truly does fund what He calls."
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Security Team Recruitment Call
Volunteers are needed to serve with the Security Team for Sunday and Wednesday services and special events.
Text Mike Muller 270-300-1571 or Ryan Jansen 502-403-9841
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Baptistry Maintenance
Volunteer is needed to serve caring for the draining, cleaning, refilling, etc. of the baptistry.
For more details please email SaltandLightKY@gmail.com
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Food Pantry
Have you ever wanted to get involved with the food pantry but weren’t sure where to start? We would love to have you join us! One way to serve is by helping during our appointments with families in the community who visit. It’s a meaningful way to connect and be part of what God is doing through this ministry.
Bible Donations - The Food Pantry gives a Bible to many of our visitors. Children’s Bibles are especially popular. We are not requesting purchasing Bibles. If you have gently used Bibles that you no longer use or that your children have aged out of, it would be a blessing if you could donate them for us to share.
Meal Kits - purchase and assemble quick and easy dinner kits that include the recipe and all of the ingredients to prepare the meal. The kits don’t need to be fancy - quick, easy, and cost-effective are perfect and a big help for busy families.
Create kit(s) from your favorite simple recipes or check the Salt & Light Family Facebook group for posts with recipes.
Most Needed Items to Stock the Pantry
Ground Beef, Chicken, Turkey and Pork
Breakfast Sausage
Frozen Pizza
Frozen Lasagna
Eggs
Tuna
Hamburger Helper
Canned Fruit Cocktail
Chef Boyardee
Spaghetti/Pasta sauce
Please place food and Bibles in bags labeled “Food Pantry” on the hospitality counter near the Coffee Connection. Please ask the volunteers to place perishable items in the refrigerator.
If you prefer to donate financially, our volunteers will shop for you. Please designate “Food Pantry” on your check or when giving online.
Thank you for donating and praying for this ministry!
If you are in need of food or know someone in need, would like to volunteer to serve in the pantry, or have questions, please text Kristen Tingle 502-931-7987
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Children’s Ministry
For More Details or to Serve - text Jessica Walker 502-365-0839
Immediate Need: Special Needs - Volunteers are needed to serve as one-on-one buddies in class with children with special needs. We have more children than buddies so having to turn families away until more volunteers step in to serve.
Busy Bags - 2 volunteers are needed to serve weekly or bi-weekly to empty used items and replenish the busy bags provided to children who attend worship.
Teachers for 4-6 year old class - 11a Sundays
Music with the Children - if you are musically gifted, we would love for you to teach and sing Bible songs with the children twice each month or as you have time to share.
Substitute and Rotational Teachers are needed to fill in for 1 class or multiple weeks when regular teachers are unavailable or to give them a break for a month or so.
Vacation Bible School - July 20 - 24 | 6 - 8 PM
Emerald Crossing - An Irish Adventure through Psalm 23
Volunteers are needed in a variety of areas! Sign up now to serve.
Items Currently Needed: School Glue, Hot Glue Gun Sticks, 5 gallon Buckets (with or without lids), Newspapers, Zip Sandwich and Gallon Bags. Please take to the Children’s Ministry area in the Lower Level.
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Sponsor a Youth Attending Summer Camp at Crossings
The total cost for each young person to attend Summer Camp is $400. For many of our families with multiple children in 6th - 12th grades that cost can be prohibitive. If you would like to sponsor a youth for this potentially life-changing week growing in their faith, please contact Paul or Sarah Thomas or email Youth@SaltandLightKY.org
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Salt & Light Academy
Classroom Build Supplies Needed - new classrooms have recently been constructed and a few items are needed to complete the project. If you have any of these items you could donate, know a donor, or would like to give money to purchase supplies, please see the listing of needed items here.
Questions contact Kurt Shelton 502-387-0960
Lunch & Recess Volunteers - Interact with and help the children to give the teachers a planning period. A background check is required. Email Michelle Elliott michelle.elliott@saltandlightacademy.com
Please continue to pray, promote, and support Salt and Light Academy. Your ongoing giving keeps the school fully funded and tuition-free, and every gift matters.
One-time or auto pay weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly donations may be made or set up online Here
Donations of needed supplies for classes and the office are greatly appreciated. You can view and give through our Amazon Wish List
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Salt & Light Library
Open Sundays 8:30 - 11 AM and 15 min after service
Wednesdays 5 - 7 PM and 15 min after service
Volunteers Needed - Text Sharon Holbert 502-235-6687
Book Donations appreciated — view our wishlist:
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Family Communication Board
We have a bulletin board in the Upper Lobby inside the main entrance, on the wall above the giving box across from the Connection Point area, for you to post needs you would be blessed to receive and shares you would like to give.
Freely Receive - If you have a need - a service or item or a friend to do something with - please post it on the side of the board labeled “Freely Receive”.
Freely Give – when you have something to give - a lawn mower that still works, furniture you aren't using, a willingness to serve by sharing a skill or some spare time - please post on the side of the board labeled “Freely Given”.
Note papers are in the basket to write your give and receive notes to post on the board.
This is not a buy, sell, or trade board, but a family sharing board.
The only money that should be exchanged would be a paycheck if you are offering to hire someone.
Check our family sharing board often, there may be a message that will be a blessing for you!!
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Care Ministry
If you are in need of care (hospital, long-term facility, homebound), please contact Salt & Light at 502-265-6828
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Stay Connected – Join Our Facebook Groups
Stay encouraged and connected!
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Have an Announcement of an Event or Volunteer Need?
Please email new submissions by Monday each week to Marie Long at Long12686@gmail.com
Thanks for helping us keep everything clear and timely!